Will You Cross The Rubicon Today?

Before us this day, is a question that must be answered but not in a haste or without serious and in-depth consideration. This is because many people in time past have had to answer similar questions but before long went contrary to the answers they offered or gave. This is the reason the Lord is approaching us from a new angle and language that anyone that must answer must do so with every consciousness in him and an understanding of its implications. (cons. Luke. 14:28-32). The question is "will you cross the rubicon today?".

To cross the rubicon is a common phrase among youths especially students. It refers to Julius Caesar’s case of the Rubicon River to wage civil war with Rome on January, 10, 49BC. River Rubicon is a small river in Northern Italy, it marked the boundary in ancient times between Italy and Gaul (the frontier boundary of Italy). There was a law then that forbade any general with a standing army from crossing this river and entering the Roman heartland. To do so was considered as treason. Meanwhile, Caesar had been ordered to resign and disband his army because his increasing popularity seemed to pose a threat to the ruling powers. Caesar, not willing to surrender his political ambition and power must needs cross the River to confront the power in-charge. This was a time of serious decision - either to submit to the command or cross over to confront the power that be, but that would mean opting for a civil war, marking a point of no return. On coming to the banks of the Rubicon, he meditated and thought deeply of his next step, he said to his troop ‘still we can retreat! But once let us pass this little bridge, - and nothing is left but to fight it out with arms!’. Soon, on sighting a challenging incidence, ran to the river and sounded the ‘Advance’ and crossed to the other side declaring that THE DIE IS NOW CAST, marking the point of no return. This began the civil war.

This account has not been given for us to justify Caesar’s action but to actually illustrate what happens in many lives and to help us see and understand what it takes if we must tread in the steps that the Lord is directing us to. We shall now briefly consider what the Rubicon is to us, what happens before the Rubicon, crossing the Rubicon and what is obtainable across the Rubicon.

What The Rubicon Is To Us

The Rubicon is the boundary between darkness and light, bondage and freedom, sin and righteousness, ignorance and knowledge, levity and gravity, fear/unbelief and faith, ‘it doesn’t matter’/compromise and commitment/consecration. It is that strong and seemingly formidable wall between death, sorrow, eternal gnashing of teeth and life, peace, everlasting joy. It is that strong line demarcating life influenced by the WORLD and life influenced by the WORD. There, there is a strong struggle between indecision and decision. It must be noted that the Rubicon could be made up of men, spirits and/or circumstances.

Biblical examples of rubicon include:

The wall of Jericho (Joshua 6:1-2); Sin of Achan (Joshua 7:1-5); Red sea (Exodus 14:1, 9-10; Isaiah 59:1-2; consider Number 14:1-4, 26-30; Revelation 3:15-16; 21:8, 27); indecision (1Kings 18:21; Acts 26:27-28); unbelief and ignorance (2 Kings 5:1, 9-12); etc. They are numerous. So then, shall the youths of this generation remain in this wilderness because of the dreaded Rubicon or shall they like Caesar and his troop declare that the DIE IS CAST at the sound of ‘Advance’?

This Side Of The Rubicon:

Believers and unbelievers (saved and unsaved) have diverse Rubicons before them and these having not been crossed over, keep them still roaming about at the same point thereby remaining unsaved, those claiming to have become children of God hardly possess any Christian virtue, the truly saved amongst them are far from an appreciable awareness of the great king, not discovering where the Master’s feet have treaded to place theirs in.

The unsaved youth is enveloped with the darkness and uncertainty that have come upon the world (Isaiah 60:2), groping therein without any care about the Saviour and gift of salvation and deliverance from God (John 3:19-20; Romans 6:23). On this side are the evil trend and traits of craftiness and plot amongst youths to explore diverse technologically induced programmes and perpetrate immoral acts, deceits, thefts, riots, etc (cons. Psalm 2:1-3; Proverbs 1:11-14, 16; Isaiah 59:3-8; Romans 1:25-32). It is a side of indiscriminate relationships between youths of opposite sex, damning lifestyle and unhealthy competition for attention and acceptance causing many to deceive and be deceived (Cons. Genesis 27:6-27; 2 Kings 9:30). Here we find youths who halt between two opinions - a little part to God, a little to peers and whatsoever is in vogue at that point in time (Luke 16:13; cons. Galatians 2:11-13; 1Kings 12:8), yielding to worldly wisdom of ‘give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s'. We also find the self-righteous, the religious on this side who cling to the ‘moral’ and ‘good’ life but not pleasing nor able to meet with God’s standard (Isaiah 64:6; Philipians 3:4; Isaiah 55:8-9; Matthew 19:16-17).

At this side of the Rubicon, we see many Christian youths who have neither realized nor accepted that the kingdom of God suffers violence and only the violent can take it by force and so find themselves giving their lives to Jesus every now and again but with no strong will to stand against all contrary influences, activities, wooing, temptations and old friends (Matthew 11:12; Proverbs 1:10; 1 John. 2:15-17; Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:27; James. 4:7; consider 2 Corinthians 8:11).

The truly saved youth on this side finds his commitment and consecration dwindling as the weather becomes boisterous, as he interacts with other Christians who know nothing about expediency nor high calling, neither have counted anything but dung for the excellency of the knowledge of their Lord (Romans 8:35-39; 1 Corinthians 6:12; Philippians. 3:7-10, 14; consider 2 Timothy 4:3).

These and many other things are like the water of Rubicon or ingredients or materials mixed together to raise formidable and impenetrable walls leaving these youths with the same story and testimony every day. But then how long shall you remain on this side of the Rubicon? (Deuteronomy 1:6-8; 2:3; Joshua 18:3)?

Before we answer, let’s see what actually is across this Rubicon.

What Is Obtainable Across The Rubicon?

Many times a good knowledge of what happens after a very serious step of action is taken goes a long way to propel one to act. We have understood what a rubicon is and have seen what it is like dwelling on that side of the rubicon and also seen the need to cross over. Briefly, let us see a few of the benefits across the rubicon because they are inexhaustible.

The first thing you encounter is the open hands of the Master and Saviour Jesus Christ, on whose invitation you are coming (Matt. 11:28; Rev. 3:20; Jn. 5:5-6; 8:12; Lk. 15:17-20). Embracing Him in total repentance and submission transforms the sinner and the saved youth (Gal. 1:3-4; Eph. 2:1-5).

There is a change of status - from being a sinner to being saved, from living in bondage to freedom (Eph. 2:1-5; Rom. 8:1; Lk. 15:22-24). There are benefits of things that accompany salvation (Matt. 6:33; Deut. 28:1-14; Ps. 91:1-16), and opportunity for further Christian experiences and gifts from God (1Thess. 5:23; Josh. 5:2). The heart of the enemies will melt and fear for your sake (Josh. 5:1). The Lord will guide, direct and launch you into His steps (cons. Jn. 8:12; Ps. 73:24). The blessings are not just for now but eternal bliss is available at the end (Rev. 21:1-7). It is incredible joy and glory across the rubicon.

Crossing The Rubicon, How Easy?

It is easy for there is a helping hand. The invisible hand of the Lord is stretched out ready to lift whosoever is willing across the dreaded river or fortified wall of Rubicon (Jn.16:8; Matt.14:28-31). Jesus, the son of God has accomplished all that is needed through his death to cross you over (Is.53:4-12; Jn.19:30). All it takes is a deep and conscious consideration of the step you intend to take, an understanding that it is an irreversible decision unlike at other times whatsoever the consequences (cons. Lk.9:62; Phil.1:21; Acts 21:13). All you need is a total repentance, confession, acceptance of the Lord Jesus and an irrevocable surrender, decision and commitment to get and walk IN HIS STEPS (Ps.34:18; 51:17; Is.66:2). Now that you have come to the bank of this dreaded river Rubicon, look straight and see the saving hands of Jesus the Lord stretched to catch your hands. As you hear the sound ‘Advance’ run into His saving hands with weeping and submission and in a moment, you will find yourself at the other side. There, you shall come to know Him better and more and more. Now, ADVANCE!